Evening Update 31 Jan

French Riviera local news

Airport - There is industrial unrest at Nice Cote d’Azur airport as security workers complain of humiliation and intimidation from Astriam management, the company who operate the security screening facility. While Astriam deny the charges, it’s hoped mediation between both sides, will avoid industrial action being taken.

Supermarkets - The French government is to announce plans to tighten rules on supermarket promotions. Recent promotional deals have led to in-store scuffles, over cut-price jars of Nutella and discounted nappies. The Economy Minister has said an investigation was being launched into the discounts, and laws would be changed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Accident - A motorcyclist is recovering in hospital, after having a limb partially ripped off in an accident on the Voie Mathis in Nice yesterday. The accident, between the cyclist and a car, led to 5km tailbacks during rush-hour.

Film - A television crew for La Maison France 5 are in Monaco today, filming a 90 minute special for broadcast later in the year. Tomorrow, for a separate programme, they’ll be visiting Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Eze and Villefranche-sur-Mer to meet artisans and film exceptional homes.

BUSINESS

Japanese technology giant, Fujifilm, is to cut 10,000 jobs by 2020, at its Fuji Xerox subsidiary, due to an increasingly severe market. They also plan to take a majority stake in the US based Xerox, and combine the two into a joint subsidiary.

In the UK, Capita shares have plunged over 40%, after the outsourcing firm issued a profit warning, saying the company had become too complex and driven by a short-term focus, and that it needed to change its approach. The announcement comes after their rival Carillion collapsed earlier this month.

SPORT

Formula 1 - It’s been announced that ‘grid girls’ will no longer be used in the sport, with immediate effect. The MD of Formula 1 said that while the practice of employing grid girls, had been a staple of Formula 1 for decades, they feel the custom is clearly at odds with modern day norms.

Football - Arsenal have signed striker Au.bame.yang from Borussia Dortmund for a club record £56m. The Gunners had previously had two bids rejected, before agreeing the fee, which eclipses the 46m they paid for Alexandre La.cazette last July.

Arsenal has also confirmed that midfielder Mesut Ozil, has signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal, to stay at the club until 2021. It follows months of speculation about the future of the Germany international, whose previous contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

Rugby - Newcastle Falcons' Chris Harris makes his first start for Scotland, after being named as outside centre to face Wales in their Six Nations opener. Coach Gregor Townsend has made six changes overall, from the side that faced Australia in November.

Tennis - Britain's Kyle Edmund says that he is doing his best to be ready for this week's Davis Cup first-round tie against Spain. The 23-year-old struggled with a hip problem, during his Australian Open semi-final defeat by Marin Cilic last Thursday. Edmund is in Marbella for the three-day tie starts this Friday.